A man has been jailed for assisting Daniel Khalife, who grew up in Kingston, following his escape from prison.

Adeel Khan, 32, of Waltham Forest, was sentenced to four years and six months' imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court today (Friday, 4 September), after being found guilty of assisting an offender following a two-week trial.

Khan had previously pleaded guilty to possessing a mobile phone in prison, contrary to section 40D(1) of the Prisons Act 1952.

A nationwide manhunt was launched to locate Khalife, who remained at large for three days before being arrested near a canal in Northolt.

However, during the investigation and following Khalife's arrest, officers established that he had not acted alone in his efforts to evade capture.

The investigation team found that Khalife had been communicating by mobile phone with Khan, whom he had met in prison. Detectives also uncovered evidence showing that Khan had arranged for Khalife to receive £400 in cash while he was on the run.

Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said: "A huge amount of police resources was dedicated to the manhunt for Daniel Khalife, a man who has since been convicted of espionage and terrorism offences.

"Adeel Khan knowingly assisted Khalife's attempts to evade capture by arranging for him to receive £400 in cash, enabling him to purchase a mobile phone and other items that helped him remain on the run.

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"Today's outcome reflects the seriousness of that support and demonstrates that anyone who assists a wanted criminal can expect to face justice themselves."

Khan was interviewed in HMP Wandsworth in October 2023 after officers found his details in a diary recovered from Khalife when he was arrested. Analysis of mobile phone data showed the pair had remained in contact following Khalife's escape.

A second man, Imran Chowdhury, 26, of Chingford, was charged with assisting an offender after CCTV showed him meeting Khalife and providing him with the cash. Following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Chowdhury was found not guilty.